Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Ghana (source: Ghana Ministry of Health). The Ghana Ministry of Health have informed us that all regional hospitals can take samples for Swine Flu testing, which is done at a laboratory in Accra. Tamiflu is available through regional hospitals or at various pharmacies throughout the country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. Check our Swine Flu page for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
  
  
• The parliamentary and presidential elections held in December 2008 passed generally peacefully throughout Ghana.  Political rallies and demonstrations in this post election period may still occur. You should avoid any large public gatherings (including political rallies and demonstrations) which although mainly peaceful have the potential to turn violent. You should monitor daily developments through the local media.
  
  
• While most visits to Ghana are trouble-free, violent crime can occur at any time.  You are advised to exercise a high level of vigilance in public areas, and when travelling by road.  See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Localised outbreaks of civil unrest can occur at short notice due to ongoing local Chieftancy and land disputes particularly in the north of Ghana.  See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Around 70,000 tourists from the UK visit Ghana every year (Source: Ghana tourist board). 52 British nationals required consular assistance in Ghana in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (19 cases); hospitalisations (9 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (4 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (93 cases).
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You need to obtain a visa before travelling to Ghana.  Overstaying on your visa without proper authority is a serious matter and can lead to detention or you being refused permission to leave the country until a fine is paid.  See the Entry Requirements section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and our Travel insurance page for more details.